Ryu Ho-jeong to Song Young-gil: "Unwanted Contact, Even Among Same Sex, Is Sexual Harassment"

Song Young-gil "Men Patting Each Other's Butts"

Ryu Ho-jeong, Justice Party member. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 19th, Ryu Hojung, a Justice Party lawmaker, sharply criticized Song Younggil, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker who defended a diplomat at the South Korean Embassy in New Zealand accused of sexually harassing a same-sex employee, saying, "Unwanted sexual contact, whether between same-sex or opposite-sex individuals, is 'sexual harassment.'"

On the same day, Ryu shared an article related to Song on her Facebook and opened up by saying, "While reading the article, something suddenly came to mind. It was after a Justice Party event, and a 'female' sitting next to me stroked my back."

She continued, "I knew well that she had no 'malice,' so I didn't feel bad. Still, I told her, 'You shouldn't do this to anyone, anywhere, without permission,'" recounting the situation at the time.

Song Young-gil, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the morning of July 14. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier that morning, Song appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jongbae's Focus' and sparked controversy by saying, "The victim was close to the consul who is known as the perpetrator," and "Among men, it's common to pat each other's backs or even tap each other's buttocks once in a while." He added, "I also think there is a cultural difference. New Zealand is quite open to homosexuality."

However, Song drew a line by saying, "From that man's perspective, he could feel uncomfortable," but regarding the issue of extraditing the diplomat to New Zealand, he said, "That seems like an 'overreaction.'"

In response, Ryu criticized, "The government's attitude toward the sexual harassment scandal of a diplomat is problematic, but the perception of the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, which oversees the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is even more shocking."

She said, "No person or organization can be perfect. That is why reflection and introspection on 'wrongdoing' are more important than anything else," adding, "The chairman is a people's representative who should sternly reprimand the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its mistakes. He holds powerful authority and influence. Wouldn't it be okay to 'overdo' it a little?"

Meanwhile, the diplomat accused of sexual harassment was disciplined with a one-month pay cut by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in February last year for sexually harassing a local male employee while stationed at the New Zealand Embassy in December 2017.

On the 28th of last month, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern raised the issue of the diplomat's sexual harassment during a summit call with President Moon Jaein, causing controversy. It is reported that New Zealand authorities have not yet made an official extradition request for the diplomat.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.